[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE CASPER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate 120 years of 
continued community service by the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce of 
Wyoming.
  For 120 years, our city has grown and flourished, due in many ways to 
the efforts of the Casper Area Chamber. The chamber aims to provide 
organizational structure to build a better Natrona County and to 
improve opportunities for all businesses in the community. The chamber 
was founded in 1903 as the Casper Industrial Association by Alfred 
James Mokler, then publisher of the Natrona County Tribune. A small 
number of businesses banded together to create the association. Some of 
their early goals were to pave the streets, install a water and sewer 
system, and to construct public parks, a courthouse, a city hall, a 
Federal building, and a railway. All of these goals were realized. 
Today, the chamber has over 600 members and continues to grow each 
year. The mission now is the same as it was 120 years ago, to actively 
create business opportunities by ``connecting, informing, leveraging, 
and collaborating with their members.''
  After the first World War, the Casper Industrial Association 
reorganized and became the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce. At that 
time, just over 11,000 people were living in Casper and 14,000 in 
Natrona County. During the 1930s, the chamber was a key player in the 
construction of a north-to-south rail line from Montana to Colorado by 
the Wyoming-Montana Railroad Company. The chamber also ensured that 
freight rates were competitive. This allowed local industry to bring in 
new services and hire competitively. During the 1960s, the chamber 
worked to make Casper the convention center of Wyoming. They held over 
100 conventions, attracting over 20,000 visitors.
  Progress continued into the 1980s when the chamber designed the 
Leadership Casper program, organized legislative luncheons, and created 
professional networking opportunities. During the 2000s, the chamber 
focused on developing the west side of Casper. The first ``Shop Local'' 
campaign was established. In 2020, the chamber was instrumental in 
connecting businesses with the Federal funding they needed to stay open 
through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  The Casper Area Chamber of Commerce is part of a long and rich local 
history. It was instrumental in moving Natrona County forward. Their 
positive influence over the past 120 years can be seen today in our 
thriving community.
  The Casper Area Chamber of Commerce is the foundation on which the 
economy of Casper is built. They work hard to maintain a prosperous 
business environment. This ensures the longevity of tourism, industry, 
and small businesses.
  In Wyoming, we value community, leadership, and service. The Casper 
Area Chamber of Commerce puts these values into practice. As board 
chair, Sabrina Kemper said, ``Without commerce, our community cannot 
thrive.''
  Today, the Chamber Staff and Board of Directors include:

       Staff
       Tina Hoebelheinrich, Executive Director
       Sabrina Kemper, Board Chairman
       Katie Schultz, Past-Chairman
       Phillip Rael, Board Member
       Gena Jensen, Chairman-Elect
       Amanda Disney, Treasurer
       Jereca Lutz, VP of Development
       Kim Coleman, VP of Marketing and Communication
       Darcie Holscher, VP of Special Events
       Officers
       Ken White
       Nikki Hawley
       Robert Ratliff
       Tom McCarthy
       Bryant Hall
       Michael Morrissey
       Paul Nash
       Sonya Gruner

  It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant 
milestone for the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce of Wyoming. The 
impact and opportunities the chamber has created for Casper businesses 
is incredible. Bobbi joins me in extending our congratulations to the 
Casper Area Chamber of Commerce for 120 years of community service.

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